Pattern control mechanism



April 4, 1939. Y, RUINNET PATTERN CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l IWENTO CS Aprnl 4, 1939. Y. RUINNET 2,153,342

PATTERN CONTROL MEGHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 20ans() on Z027 o n ATTORNEYS Y. RUINNET April 4, i939.

PATTERN CONTROL MECHANISM Filed sept; 17, 193e 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 /32 aan alf,

Patented Apr. 4, 19.39

PATENT Y`orrlcr;

PATTERN CONTROL MECHANISM Yves Ruinnet, Neuilly, France, assignor to Lefler Patent Company, Inc., a corporation of New York Application September 17, 1936, Serial No. 101,251 In France December 31, 1935 40 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for controlling the operation of knitting frames and weaving looms for the purpose of reproducing designs or patterns in the fabric-.being knitted or woven. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an electro-mechanical mechanism which may be used in association with a knitting frame or loom to control the operation of the needles or heddle wires in accordance with a pattern so that the fabric being made will lcontain a reproduction of the pattern. In the new device, the pattern used carries a representation of the design as it is to appear on the fabric, and directly controls the operation of the new mechanism. The cost of manufacture of patterned fabrics is, accordingly, reduced by the use of the mechanism since it is unnecessary to prepare cards from each pattern as is .required in the operation of a jacquard mechanism, commonly used heretofore as a pattern control means.

The new apparatus, With appropriate modifll cations, may be employed for controlling the operation of knitting machines of either the at bed or circular types, of loomsof the types ordinarily controlled by a jacquard mechanism, and also of machines employed for punching the cards used in connection with jacquard mechanisms. When the new apparatus is employed with la loom of the type referred to, it may operate directly on the heddle wire mechanism, or it may be employedto take the place of the cardsof the jacquard mechanism. For purposes of explanation, however, an embodiment of the invention employed in association with a flat bed knitting machine will be illustrated and described in detail, but it is to be understood and will be apparent that the utility of the invention is not conned to that particular adaptation, and that it may be employed in connection with numerous machines in which there are a plurality of control members to be selectively controlled. In my prior Patent No. 1,795,235, issued May 3, 1931, I havedisclosed'an apparatus upon which the apparatusof the presentinvention constii tutes an improvement. As used in connection with a flat bed knitting machine, the patented control vapparatus includes'a grill or framework carrying av plurality of control levers lying side by side in a row with their ends opposed ltothe extensions or feet of the needles. These levers are initially latched in an upper position, and in order to control the operation 'of the needles; selected levers arereleased and fall to their lower positions by gravity. An electromagnet movable` along the grill and supplied with current under the control of the master pattern operates to unlatch the levers, and after each traverse of the electromagnet along the grill, the latter is advanced toward the needles so as to move selected needles into knitting position.

In producing a fabric which includes yarns of diiferent colors, the grill of the patented apparatus is shifted to a diffe-rent position for each color. For example, when two colors are employed, the grill rst occupies a position in which each lever 1 in its latched position iseiiective on the'advance of the grill to move its corresponding needles into knitting position, and each unlatched lever is ineffective for that purpose. In the second posinon of the grin, the operation of the levers 1s 15 reversed, that is, the latched or elevated levers are ineffective, and those which have been unlatched and moved down by gravity are effective to bring their ycorresponding needles into operation.

While the device of the prior patent is generally satisfactory in operation, the grill mechanism which includes a lever and a latch for each needle is somewhat complicated and it is not wholly positive in action, since the displacement of a 25 lever from its -latched position depends in part on the action of gravity. Also, the necessity of employing a grill, which has as many initial positions as there are colors employed in the fabric, adds to the operating parts of the mechanism.

The present invention is accordingly directed to the provision of an electromechanical pattern control mechanism which operates on the same general principles as that disclosed in my prior patent, but is an improvement thereon in that 85 the control members are positively movedfrom one position to anotlier and are under complete control at all times. In the new mechanism, the control members are mounted in a support, and

in the form preferred for use with a at bed 40 knitting machine, the support may take the form of a grill. Such a grill, however, is moved toward" and away from the needles by movement in a single plane only and the requirements im osed on the mechanism in the production of a brice containing two or more colors are met by employing control members movable between a plurality of positions in the grill rather than byV shifting the grill as a whole. Another feature of the new apparatus is the use of electrical 50 devices for selectively positioning vthe control members, these devices making it possible to employ a singlepattern device to control the operation of a plurality of textile machines, so that in a mill in which a number of diierent machines 55 are producing the same product, duplication of the pattern device is avoided, the amount of equipment required is reduced, and the cost of production is decreased.

When employed in one manner, the control members associated with the new apparatus and displaceable to different positions may be used to serve the purpose of a series of jacquard cards, the ends of the members corresponding tothe solid portions ofthe cards. Thus, when such a set of control members isemployed with a jacquard mechanism, it takes the place of the series o! cards and the card barrel, and for each thread of weft inserted in the fabric, the control members are set in appropriate positions determined by the pattern. Then, when the set, of control members is advanced toward the wires, certain of the wires are engaged and displaced by the control members while the others remain at rest, the selection being effected by the pattern. Since the control members can be individually and selectively placed in dierent relative positions, each such arrangement of the control members corresponds to a single jacquard card, and the use of the new mechanism thus avoids the necessity of punching a set of'cards, and the pattern directly controls the weaving operation.

For a better yunderstanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which l Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic representation of the elements of the new apparatus as employed in connection with the iiat bed knityting machine;

Figure 2 is a plan view o! a portion of the bed of lthat machine with the control apparatus in place;

Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 are sectional views through a part of the new apparatus showing machines; l

Figure 11 is a view in front elevation showing one feature of the scanning mechanism, and

Figure 12 is a view in front elevation of a modified electromagnet construction which lmay be used. y

Referring now to the drawings, the device is shown in Figure 1 in association with a fiat bed knitting machine oi.' ordinary construction, a portion of the bed of the machine being indicated A On this bed are mounted the needles I2 at II. lying side by side in a row, each needle being provided Withthe usual extension or oot I3 which projects beyond theA :rear edge of the bed. As shown in Figure 1, the needles are all out of knitting position and they are advanced'thereto by longitudinal movement of their corresponding extensions I3 across the bed.

The control mechanism employed to bring the.

needles selectively into knitting position includes a plurality of control members mounted in a' suitable support at the rear of the needle bed and movable toward and away from the needles thereon. This support may conveniently take the form of a frame-work or grill which is mounted and reciprocated in any suitable manner. In the construction illustrated, the support for the control members is a grill which includes end pieces I4 provided with extensions I5 which enter slots in the side frame members I6 oi.' the knitting machine. Such an arrangement is disclosed in Figures 2 and 3 and, as there shown each extension I5 is connected in any suitable manner to one end of a lever II which may be actuated, as, for example, by a cam mechanism to cause the grill to move toward and away from the bank of needles at the proper times. Between the end pieces I4,`the grill-is provided, with a plurality of spaced partition members I1 betweer which lie the control members I8. Each member asillustrated in Figure 1, may take the form o1 a lever 'notched midway between its ends anc' resting on a rod I9 which extends lengthwise oi the grill through openings in the partition members. At its rear end, each control member has a tongue 2l) projecting out slightly beyond the rear edge of the group of partition members anc at its forward end, the control member is bifurcated, as indicated at 20', and the ends are sprung apart slightly so that they engage the partitior members on either sidev of the control membei in order that the" control member may be helc by light friction in the several positions inwhicl it may be placed. The partition members I1 an supported in position on a plurality of rods 2| extending through them and through the enc pieces I4, suitable spacing means being employec between the partition members to hold them ir vproper relative position.

The upper edge of each partition member I' is notched to receive the lower, portion of a dovi tail bar 22 which forms a' track for a housing 23 This housing overlies the rear end of the gril and it is moved along the grill once for each rov of stitches to be knit. Any suitable drive mean: for the housing mayl be used, and in the conI struction shown, the housing is moved by mean: of a rod 24 connected to a block 25 which travel along a do've tail bar 26 extending lengthwise o` the knitting machine. The block is connecte( by a rod 21 to a chain 28 which passes aroun( sprocket wheels 29 mounted at any convenienI part of the knitting machine. yIn the operatioi of the machine, the chain travels continuousl: and it causes the block and the housing to mow lengthwise of the needle bank once for each rov of vstitches vin the fabric. As the grill is move( :toward and Vaway from the bank of needles i1 order to bring selected needles into knitting posi tion and the bar 26 is fixed in position, the rox 24 is connected both to the housing 23 and t: the block 25 byv swiveling connections, indicate( generally at 30.

Within the housing 23 are electromagnett means for selectively moving the control mem bers, and in one form, the means comprise pair of electromagnets 3| and 32 beneath whicl is pivotally mounted a lever- 33 having a projec tion 34 from its lower face beneath the electro magnet 3| and serving as a hammer. The elec tromagnets are supplied with current througl wires not shown, which are connected to bindim posts 35 at the top of the housing, and the elec Itromagnets are energized in alternation to swim the lever 33 between effective and ineffective po sitions. Thus., when the electromagnet 3| is en ergized and electromagnet 32 deenergized, th

lever 33 is swung in a clockwise direction to inet mounted on alpin 52 threaded into the rear wall fective position, while when the electromagnet 32 is energized and the electromagnet 3| deenergized, th lever is swung in a counter-clockwise direction to operating position, as illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive. The lever 33 lies directly above the extensions 20 from the control members I8, and as the housing 23 is moved along the grill, current is supplied to the electrovmagnet 32 under control of the pattern as the hammer 34 on the lever lies abo've the extensions 20 of selected control members. The energization of the electromagnet 32 at each such instant results in the swinging of the lever tocause its hammer 34 to strike the tail of a control member and move it positively downward a short distance. Such movement need not be suflicient to placel the control member in operating position and, in that case, the completion of the movement of the control member isv effected mechanically. Preferably, all the control members have the same effective mass and the lever 33 and hammer 34 have an effective mass substantially the same as that of one of the control members. This results in the optimum exchange of energy during the operation of the hammer.

Within the housing is a longitudinal partition 36 which lies just to the rear of the grill and on the face of the partition opposed to the grill are a number of cams arranged in pairs. The cams 31, 38 constitute the upper -pair and each cam( has an inclined surface 39, 40. Y'As the housing travels in one direction along the grill and the hammer 34 engages the tail of a particular control member in upper ineffective position, indicated at 20a, the tail is moved downward as indicated at 20', into the path of one or the other of the cam surfaces 39, 40, so that as the casing continues to move, the tail slides down the inclined surface and the control member is swung to effective position with its tail occupying the position indicated at Zlib, Figure 4. In this position, the control member is effective on advance of the grill toward the bank of needles to engage its corresponding needle and move it to knitting position.

The cams 4I, 42 on the partition wall are so placed` that they operate alternately, dependent upon the direction of movement of the casing, to engage the tails 20 of control members which have previously been effective and move them downward tb lower ineffective position with the ltails then lying in the row indicated at 20c. Another pair of cams 43, 44 on the partition 36 serve to insure that the tails of control members, which have been engaged by' either cams 39, 40 or cams 4l, 42, will be moved to their proper positions by those cams without over-travel.

In addition to the cams previously'described, the housing contains a pair of movable cam members 45, 46, each of which is mounted on the end of a lever, such as that designated 41, Figure 9,

the lever being pivoted on the partition 36 at 48 and biased to one position by a spring 49 engaging one arm 50 of the lever. The-cams 45, 46 come into action alternately, afterrows of stitches of each of the yarns employed in the fabric have been knitted, and restore all of the control members to their initial positions indicated at 20a..

In the construction illustrated, a ratchet wheel 5i is provided for each lever 41 and each wheelis 53 of the casing 23. A slotted bar 54 is mounted in the housing againstlthe inner face of the wall 53 with the pins 52 passing through the slot in the l housing at each end thereof. -This bar is provided with a pair ot spring pressed pawls 55 engaging each ratchet' wheel 5i', and on movement of the bar relative to the housing, the ratchet wheels are caused td advance by the pawls.

Such movements of they bar are effected by means of stop members 56 mounted in any convenient manner at the ends of the track 22, and engageable by adjustment screws 51 in the ends of the bar. When the housing 23 approaches the ends of its path of travel, one or the other of the screws 51 engages a stop 56 and holds the bar 54 as the housing continues to move. As illustrated in Fisure 8, the previous movement of the housing toward the left has caused thebar 54 to be stopped while the housing continues, and

the bar has, accordingly, been moved relatively to the4 housing toward the right. In this movement, .each of the pawls 55 has passed behind a tooth. on each of the ratchet wheels.

of the machine, the adjustment screw at that end of the bar 54 engages the stop, and as the housing continues to move, the relative movement of the bar and housing results in the ratchet wheels being turned angularly by the amount of one tooth.

Each ratchet wheel is provided on its inner face with a cam projection 58, and as the wheel rotates stepwise, its cam projection is ultimately brought into a position such that, upon a. further move-l 1 ment of the wheel, the projection engages a plate 53 mounted on the lever 41 associated with the ratchet wheel. 'Ihe movement of the cam projection past the plate causes the lever to swing clockwise on its pivot, and that brings its cam 45 .or 46 I the control members back to their initial 20a poc.. sition. The timing of the operation of the cams 45, 46 depends on the number of colors in the pattern being produced, and the construction illustrated is appropriate for controlling the knitting of a fabric which contains two colors in the l,

pattern and a ground color. The cams 45, 46 accordingly come alternately into operation at the completion of three rows of stitches, and the ratchet wheel controlling the operation of each cam is, therefore, provided with six teeth and the cam projections on the two ratchet wheels are degrees apart.

In the operation of the parts so far described.

Whenthe housing then returns toward the right hand end the control members I3 initially lie with their tails in row 20a, as shown in Figure 3, and as the housing 23 moves along the grill to the right, the

electromagnet 32 is energized from time to time under the Acontrol of the master pattern and its hammer forces down the tails 20 of selected control members. Each tail so displaced is engaged by the surface 39 of cam 31 as the housing moves along, and the control member is thus swung so that its tail occupies aA position in the row 20h. When the casing has completed its traverse, the grill is set up for the selection of the needles which are to knit stitches in the next row, and the levers l1" are thereupon swung bytheir cams to advance the grill to the needle bed so that the levers in the lb'position will engage the extensions of the selected vneedles and move those needles to knitting position. As soon as the needles have thus been selected and placed in operating position, Ithe, grill is moved back and the housing moves along the grill to the left, as shown in Figure 4. In this movement, the tails of the control members in the 20h position are engaged by the cam 4I and moved down to the row 20c, while the tails of the control members selected by the master pattern are forced down by the hammer vof lever 33 to a position in which they are engaged bythe cam surface 40 of cam 38 and moved into the row 20h. When this traverse of the casing has been completed, the grill is again` advanced toward the bank oi!` needles and the needles selected for knitting the second row of Istitches are moved into knitting position.

The two selecting operations described are employed in th'e knitting of stitches of the two different colored yarn appearing in the design, and the third row of stitches is of yarn of the ground color. I'he control members which have not previously been selected must now be moved to the row` 20h and the levers previously in that position must be moved to the lower inoperative position. Accordingly, when the housing moves again to the right, as shown in -Figure 5, the

.. electromagnet 32 is continuously energized and the lever 33 remains in operative position throughout the traverse of the housing. The hammer 34, accordingly, engages all the tails in row 28a and forces these tails downward into the path of the cam surface 38 on cam 31. At the same time, cam 42 engages all of the tails of the control members in the 20h position, and move these control members down into the row 28c.

At the completion of the knitting of the row Aits sloping cam surface 88 engages all of the tails of the previouslydisplaced control members and moves these lcontrol members to the 20a position. The cam is in advance of the lever 33 in the direction of travel of the housing during this operation, so that the cam first moves all the control members to their initial positions and thereafter and in the same traverse of the cas--l ing, the lever 33 is actuated to'engage the tails of selected control members and move those members to the effective position.A At the end of this traverse of the housing, the cam 45 is moved .back out of operating position, and the knitting proceeds, vas has been described, until the next ground row has been knitted. 'I'he cam I6 then becomes operative to restore all of the control movement of the casing, selected control members are brought into action to control the operation of the needles in the-knitting of a row of stitches of the rst pattern color. l

'I'he mechanism for controlling'the operation of the electromagnets includes one or more pattern sheets, depending on the number of colors of the yarn used in the figured portions of the pattern, -and means for scanning the pattern sheets and causing the operationof the 'electromagnetic selecting means in a manner determined by the sheets..f In the form illustrated, the

apparatus is suitable-for controlling the operation of a knitting machine in the production of a fabric containing two colors in the figured portions of thepattern and aground color; The pattern mechanism accordingly includes two pattern sheets 6I, 62, each formed of electroconductive material, with th'e figures in the pattern to be reproduced such asthat indicated at 6.3. formed of insulating material. The pattern sheets and the figures carried thereby may be of any suitable material, as, for example, the sheets 4may be of thin copper and the gures may be areas on the sheets covered by a suitable insulating paint. Each pattern sheet is mounted on a roll 84 of electroconductive material supported for rotation in suitable bearings, and the rolls are simultaneously rotatedv with a step-by-step movement by ratchet and pawl devices not illustrated. Each pattern sheet has the same Width as the fabric being produced and the length of each sheet is suiiicient to carry a repeat of the' i pattern.

In the operation,` of the device, the pattern sheets are effective successively, and they form part of an electrical circuit of which a diagram appears in Figure k10, current being supplied to the rolls 64 through contact members 66. The means for scanning the pattern sheets comprises a pair of arms 61, one for each sheet, mounted in a rod 68 extending through a portion of the block and rotatably supported therein; At the lower end of each arm 61 is a. roller 69 which rests on the pattern sheet, and the arms 61 are connected l in the electrical circuit by connections not illustrated'in Figure 1.

' Current is supplied to the electromagnets 3i, 32 through the electron-discharge tubes 18, 1|, leach of which contains a cathode 12, preferably of the indirectly heated type, a grid 13, and a yplate 1I, the tubes employed in the circuits shown being of the type in which no current ows when there`is a negative bias on the grid, and full current ows when there is a zero bias, although other suitable types of tubes may be employed. If the device is operated from an alternating current source, current from a power line 15 is supplied through atransformer 16 to rectier networks 11, 18, one for each tube, these networks being of the customary type and delivering direct current to the plate 14 of each tube. A rectifier Aand filter network 19 receives current from the transformer 16 and is connected through the potentiometer 80 to the grid ofeach tube, so that a' negative bias in an amount controlled by lthe potentiometer can be applied to each grid.

The application of a bias voltage to the grids is controlled by a circuit which includes the distributor 8l which is provided with a pair of terminals 82a, 82h, located 180 apart. By means 'of the distributor, the rolls 64 and the pattern sheets 6|, 62 are alternately placed in or cut out of the distributor circuit, and for this purpose, members to their initial position, and in the same the contact members 66 for the two Arolls are connected, respectively, to xed contacts 83a, 83h

which bear against the periphery of the distribu- 'tor 60 apart. .The distributor is rotated with a 33 counter-clockwise.

83h for pattern sheet 6| bears against a blank portion of the distributor. In this condition, the application of the negative bias to the grids of the two tubes is controlled by pattern sheet 62, and whenever a figure of the pattern lies beneath the scanning roller 69, the distributor circuit is open, since the gure is of insulating material..

The diagram illustrates the connections by which the operation of two textile machines may be controlled by a single pattern mechanism, and' the electromagnets 3| in each housing 23 asso-- ciated with a frame are connected across linesl 85a, 85h, while the electromagnets 32 are connected across lines 86a, 86h. The lines 85a, 85D are connected to terminals 81a and 81h, respectively, and the lines 86a, 8617 are connected to the terminals 88a and 88h, respectively.' Terminals 81a and 88ar are connected to the rectifying networks 11 and 18, respectively, and terminals 81h and 88h are connectedvto the terminals 84a. and 8417, respectively.

The connections between the tubes and the electromagnets are such that electromagnet 3| of each pair is energized by tube 10, and electromagnet 32 of each pair is energized by tube 1|. The connections for applying negative bias to the grids of the two tubes through the distributorcircuit, which includes the pattern rolls, are such that when that circuit is open; a negative bias is applied to the grid of tube 1|)I and at the same time, the grid of tube 1| is kept at zero bias. When the circuit is closed, a negative bias is applied'to the grid of ,tube 1| and at the' same time, the grid of tube 16 is kept at zero bias. Thus, for example, when the circuit is closed, the voltage developed acrossthe resistor produces a negative bias on the grid of tube 1|. While the grid of tube 10 is directly connected to the cathode of that tube through the protective resistor |06 and thus the grid of the tube is at zero bias. Accordingly, whenever the distributor circuit is closed, current is supplied through tube 1D to each of the electromagnets 3 I, and when that circuit is open, current is supplied to each of the electromagnets 32 through tube 1|.

As previously described, the apparatus illustrated is suitable for controlling the knitting of a fabric in which' the design contains two colors, and each of the pattern sheets controls the knitting of a row of stitches with yarn oi one of these two colors, -The two pattern sheets are accordingly successively effective for'controlling the knitting of two successive rows, following which,

a row of stitches of the ground color is knitted, while the two pattern sheets are ineiective.

sheet. In the diagram,v theroller 69 is in contactwith an insulated area 63 onpattern-sheet 62, and the contact 83h for pattern sheet 6| bears against a blank spot on the distributor. The distributor circuit is, therefore, open, and each electromagnet 32 is energized and swings its lever Whenever thefroller 63 comes in contact with a conductive portion of pattern sheet 62. the distributor circuit is closed and this results in each electromagnet 3| being energized to swing its lever 33 clockwise.`

After the scanning rollers have traveled lengthwise in one direction along the pattern sheets, the distributor 8| is advanced one step of 60,

for example, in a clockwise direction. 'I'his movesl the terminal 82a out from beneath the contact 83a and under contact 83h.. Pattern sheet 6| is now eective, and in the return movement of the scanning rollers along the sheets, the electromagnets 3| and 32 are energized under the control of pattern sheet 6|. At the completion of the second traverse of the pattern sheets `by the rollers,

the distributor is advanced another step of 60 and continues in thatcondition until the rollers have traveled the length of the pattern sheets again. During this traverse' of the rollers, the levers 33 are held in operative position by their electromagnets 32 and the hammer on each lever engages all of the tails ofthe control members which lie in the upper ineffective position a and moves these control levers toward eiective position 20h, the movement of the levers to this position being completed by the cams 31, 38 as previously described. The control members are then in proper position for controlling the knitting of the row of ground stitches, and when this row has been completed, the distributor is advanced another step, bringing terminal 82h beneath contact 83a, so that the pattern sheet 62 controlling the first color is again brought into operation.

The sequence of operations is then repeated scribed provide a convenient means for controlling the action of the electromagnets by means of the pattern sheets, but it is to be understood that various other electrical apparatus may be employed f or this purpose, if desired. When tubes of the type described are employed, the current ilowing throughv the pattern sheets may be relativelysmall, while that supplied to the' electromagnets is substantially greater. It is desirable to employ a light current 'passing through the pattern sheets to avoid arcing, but substantially greater currents should be used in the electromagnets in order to get the desired positive action during selection.

Regardless of the electrical connections and apparatus used, the electromagnets 3l, 32 in the control mechanism associated with each textile machine may be controlled by a single pattern device lwith a separate pattern sheet for each color in the gured portions of the design. If the pattern includes a single color in the design or more thanv two colors, a distributor o f a construction different from distributor 8| must be employed in order that proper control may be exercised. Thus, if the design includes three colors, the three pattern sheets must be brought successively into operation following which all pattern sheets are out of action while a row of the groundcolor is knitted. The construction of the distributor therefore depends on the number'oi colors inthe design, and the modifications necessary for different conditions loi' operation will be apparent.

In the new pattern control mechanism as illustrated and described, the electromagnet housing for each group ofcontrol members is moved along the group by means actuated by the driving 1 means for the knitting frame or loom with which the control members are associated, and the pattern sheets and their associated mechanism are likewise driven by the driving means of one of these frames or looms. It will be apparent, however, that it is not necessary to place the pattern sheet mechanism in proximity to any knitting frame or loom, but if desired, this mechanism may be'disposed at a central point from whichconnections lead to the electromagnets of the different frames or looms to be controlled. yWhen this arrangement is employed, the scanning rollers are caused to traverse their pattern sheets in synchronism with the electromagnets moving lalong the groupslof control members, and all of the knitting frames or looms being controlled by a single pattern mechanism are operated in synchronism. Such synchronization of operation can be achieved without diiiiculty by the usev of proper electrical drives, and the new control mechanism may thus be readily employed to control the operation of a large number o f machines without duplication of pattern sheets and of the devices by which current is supplied underthe control of these pattern sheets to the electromagnets of the several machines.

In the mechanism illustrated, it has been found that there is a time lag between the contact of i a scanning roller with a conductive portion of its pattern sheet, and the operation of the electromagnetic selecting means, this lag resulting from the necessity of building up current in the effective electromagnet, the inertia of the parts, etc. It is, therefore, necessary that the scanning rollers should be given a lead in their reciprocating movement along their associated pattern sheets,

so that the lag in the operation of the selecting mechanism will not cause a distortion of the pattern in the fabric being produced. This result is obtained by advancing the scanning rollers slightly in the direction of their movement at each reversal in that movement, and for this purpose, the rod 68 is rotatably mounted in the block 25, and on the end remote from the armsl'l, the rod is provided with an arm 89, the end of which lies between adjustment screws 90a, 90b 'mounted on the face of the block 25. A sleeve 9| is mounted loosely on the end of the rod 69 adjacent the arm 89 and this sleeve is provided with an arm 92 which may move between stop pins 93a, 93h on block 25. A spring 94 connects the arms 89 and 92 as indicated in Figure 11.

At opposite ends of the path of` travel of the block 25, spring clips 96a, 96h are mounted on any convenient part of the machine, and as the block moves to one end or the other of its path,r` the arm 92 on the sleeve 9| enters one of these clips. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 1, when the block travels to the end of its path to the left, the arm 92 enters clip 96h, and when the block begins to return to the right, the arm 92 is held tact with screw b. This causes the rod 59 toA shift slightly, so' that the scanning rollers 69 are advanced along the pattern sheets in the direcarm 89V which is in turn controlled by the set-l ting ofthe screws 90a, 90b. By proper adjustment of these screws, the scanning rollers arei given `a lead upon each reversal in their movement, which is just suflicient, under the conditions of operation, to correct for the lag in the.

operation of the selecting electromagnets.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, for example, the hammer lever 33 is swung on its pivot by a pair of electromagnets 3l, 32 which are energized in alternation. If desired, one of these electromagnets may be dispensed with and the construction illustrated in Figure 12 may be employed. As shown in that ligure, the hammer 91 is mounted on the end of a rod 98 attached to the armature 99 of an electromagnet |00 which is mounted with its pole faces at the top. The rod 98 passes through an opening in the core of the electromagnet, and a spring IBI encircles the rod and bears at one end against the armature 99 and at the other end against the upper face of the core. With this arrangement, upon energization of the electromagnet, the armature is drawn down and the hammer strikes the tail of a control member and moves it in the same manner as the hammer 34. This movement of the hammer is against the action of the spring IDI which is compressed, and when the electromagnet is deenergized, the spring raises the hammer, rod, and armature so that the hammer is in inoperative position. With an electromagnetic selecting means of this construction, one electromagnet is dispensed with and the electrical circuits are correspondingly simplified.

In the apparatus above described,.which is appropriate for use in connection with a knitting machine of the fiat bed type, the control members remain at rest and the electromagnets of the selecting means move "along the group of control members. In other kinds of textile machines, as, for examplein one form. of circular knitting frame, the groupof needles continuously rotates. In that type of machine, it will be apparent that the control members will move and the electromagnetic selecting means will remain at rest. Similarly, in a fiat bed knitting frame, it is most convenient to provide control members which may be considered as part of an attachment for controlling the action of the needles, whereas in other textile machines, as, for example, in a circular knitting frame with a rotating needle bed, the frame itself contains control members, the action of which may be controlled by the electromagnetic selecting means. Acordingly, in the appendedv claims, the term control members is intended to include control members which form an integral part of the machine being controlledas well as control members which are used only with the pattern control mechanism of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a textile machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, respective control members associated therewith for controlling the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating device for progressively selecting control members and positively engaging and moving the selected members, a pattern, and means controlled by the pattern for actuating the device in conformity with the pattern.

2. In a textile machine having a plurality oi elements to be controlled, respective control members associated therewith for controlling the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating device for progressively selecting control members and positively engaging and moving the selected members, a pattern, a source of electrical energy connected to the device, and means for scanning the pattern and controlling the supply of energy from the source to the. device in conformity with the pattern.

3. In a textile machine having a elements to bel controlled, respective control members associated therewith for controlling the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating device for progressively selecting control members and positively engaging and moving the selected members, a pattern, a source of electrical energy, a circuit from the source including -the device, and means for scanning the pattern and controlling the circuit through thel device in conformity with the pattern.

4'. vCin a textile. machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, respective control members associated therewith for controlling the operation thereof, any electromechanical translating device for progressively selecting control members and rendering the selected members effective, a pattern, a sourceof electrical energy,

circuits from the source including the pattern I and the device, respectively, and means for scanning the4 pattern and controlling the circuit through the device in conformity with the pat'- tern, the current owing through the circuit through the device being greater than that iiowu ing through the circuit through the pattern.

5. In a textile machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, respective control members associated therewith for controlling the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating device for progressively selecting control members and rendering the selectedgmembers eiiective, a pattern, a source of electrical energy, a circuit from the source including the de'vice, means in the circuit through the device for amplifying the energy derived from the source, and means for scanning the pattern land controlling the circuit through the device in conformity with the pattern.

6. In a textile machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, respective control members associated therewith for controlling the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating device for progressively selecting control members and engaging and moving the selected members toward effective position, mechanical means for l'completing the movement of the selected control members to effective position, a pattern, means controlled by Lthe -pattern for controlling the operation of the device; and means for giving the device and mechanical moving means and the control members a relative movement during which the members are selected by the device and theselected members moved to eiective position by the mechanical moving means.

7. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a,textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being lmovable to a plurality of positions in one of which said member is effective, a pattern, means controlled by the pattern for positiyely eilecting movements of the members, said means including an electromechanical translating device operable to engage and move selected members, and means for causing said device and series of coni plurality of y trol members to have a relative movement along the said series. ,Y

8. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine,vv the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefo each member being movable to a plurality of different positions in one of which the member is effective, a pattern,

an element operable to engage selected control members and move thempositively from ineiective toward effective position, electrical means lcontrolled by said pattern for actuating said element, and means for producing a relative movement of` said element and the series of control members in a direction along said series.

9. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members mounted in a series, a support therefor, each memberbeing movable to a plurality of different positions in one of which the member is effective, a pattern, an element operable to engage selected members and move them positively from ineffective toward effective position, a mounting for said element, means for producing a relative movement'of the mounting and the' series of control members in a direction along the series, and electrical means controlled by the pattern for actuating the element, said means including an electromechanical translating device carried by the mounting.

10. In a control mechanism for controlling the loperation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being movable in the support to'. a plurality of different positions in one of which the member is eiective, a pattern, an element operable to engage selected members and move them positively from ineiiective toward eiective position, a mounting for the element, mechanical means on the mounting cooperating with the element for moving the selectedumembers` to effective position,` means for producing a relative movement of the mounting and the series of control members in a direction along the series, and electrical means controlled by the pattern for actuating the element.

.11. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being movable to different positions in one of which the member is effective, an element operable to engage selected members` and move them positively from ineffective toward effective position, a

mounting for the element, means 'for producing a relative movement of the mounting and the series of 4control members in a direction along the series, a plurality of cams on the mounting cooperating with the element to move members selected by the element to effective position, a pattern, and

electrical means controlled by the pattern for actuating the element. y

l2. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being movable to different positions in one of which the member is effective, an element operable to engage selected members and move them positively from ineffective toward effective position, a

mounting for said` element,"means for producing` a relative movement of the mounting and the series of control members in a direction along the series, means on the mounting for positively moving control members selected by the element t'o effective position and for moving previously eil'ective members from eective to ineffective position, a pattern, and electrical means controlled by the pattern for actuating the element.

13. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being "movable to different positions in one of which the member is effective, an element operable to engage selected members and move them posi- `tively from ineiiective toward effective position, a mounting for the element, means on the mounting cooperating with the element for positively moving control members selected thereby to effective position, means on the mounting operable in alternation with the selecting operations of said element to restore all said control members to their initial positions, means for producing a relative movement of the mounting and the series of control members in a direction along Y the series, a pattern, and electrical means controlled by the pattern for actuating the element.

14. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination of a series of control members, a support therefor, said support being movable in a single plane only and each member being movable in the support to a plurality of different positions in one of which the member is effective, a pattern, means controlled by the pattern for positively effecting the movements of the members in the support, and means operable in alternation with said patterncontrolled means for causing a reciprocation of the support in its plane of movement.

15. In a control mechanism for `controlling the operation of av textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being movable in the support to different positions in one of which positions said member is effective, an element'operable to engage selected members and positively move them from ineffective toward effective position, a mounting for the element, electrical means for actuating the element, a part of said means being carried upon said mounting, means for producing a relative movement of the mounting and the series of control members in a direction along the series, a pattern controlling the operation of the electrical means, and mechanical means on the mounting cooperating with the element for positively moving the control members selected thereby to effective position.

16. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being movable to different positions relative to said support, an element operable to engage selected members and positively move them relative to said support, a mounting for the element, an electromagnet for actuating the element and carried by the mounting, means for producing a relative movement of the mounting and the series of control members along the series, electricalmeans for energizing the electromagnet, and a pattern in the design to be reproduced, means for bringing said patterns alternately into action, and means controlled by the patternv in action for positively causing movements of the members in the support. 1

18. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being movable to diierent positions in the support in one of which positions the member is effective, a plurality of patterns, means for bringing said patterns alternately into action, and means con# trolled by the effective pattern for causing the movements of selected members in the support, said means including an electromechanical translating device, and means for producing a relative movement of said device and the series of members in a direction lengthwise of the series, said device positively moving said members.

19'. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members 'arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being movable in said support to a plurality of said positions in one of which positions the member is eilective, a pattern, means controlled by the pattern for positively moving the members in the support, said means including an element operable to engage and move said members, means ,for causing relative movement of said element and said support along the series of control members, an electromagnet associated with the element for actuating the latter, and an electrical circuit controlled by the pattern for supplying current to the electromagnet.

20. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination i of `a plurality of control members arranged in controlling the operation of the electrical means.

series, a support therefor, each member being movable to a plurality of positions in said support, in one of which positions the member is effective, an element operable to engage selected members and move them from ineffective toward effective position, a mounting for the element, a pair of electromagnets on'the mounting operable alternately to render the element effective and ineffective, respectively, means for producing a relative movement of the mounting-and the series of control members in a direction along the series, a pattern, and means for controlling the pattern by means of the electromagnets.

21. 'In a control mechanism for controlling the l operation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member vbeing movable to a plurality of positions in said support in one of which positions the member is effective, an element operable to engage selected members and move them from their initial ineffective position toward their effective position, a mounting for the element, means for producing a relative movement of the mounting and the series of control members alternately in opposite directions along the series, a plurality of cams on the mounting operable during Irelative movement in either direction to engage selected members and move them positively to their eil'ective position and to engage previously effective members and move vthem to a second ineffective position, a pair of cams on the mounting operable alternately, depending upon the-direction of relative movement, to restore all the members to their initial ineil'ective position, and means operable trol produce a design,

llected members effective,l

of relative movements of the support and the series of control members for rendering one cam of the pair effective during the next relative movement. I

22. In a textile machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, respective control members associated therewith for controlling the operation thereof, a support for the control members,vthe members being pivotally mounted in the support, means on the support for holdingthe members frictionally in position, an electromechanical translating device for progressively engaging selected control members and positively moving the selected members l'toward effective position, a pattern, electrical means controlled by the pattern for controlling the operation of the device, and means for producing a relative movement of the device andthe series of lcontrol members in a direction along the series.

23. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine tocause it to reproduce a design, said machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, control members associated therewith to control the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating device for selecting control members and rendering the selected members effective, a source of energy connected to the device, a plurality of pattern sheets, one for each color in the design. (excluding the ground color), means for individually scanning the pattern sheets and controllingthe supply of energy to the translating device in conformity therewith, and means for bringing said sheets into action,v said -means operating on a cycle in which said sheets are successively in action and then all are out of action, said translating device selecting and rendering all the conmembers effective during-each stage in the cycle of operations of said means during which all the pattern sheets are out of action.

24. In a control' mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine to cause it to resaid machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, control members associated therewith to control the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating device for selecting control members and rendering the sea source-of energy, a

plurality of pattern sheets one for each color in y the design (excluding the ground color), circuits including the source and the individual pattern sheets, respectively, means for individually scanning the pattern sheets and'controlling the flow of. energy through the lating device in conformity therewith, a commutator operating to close the circuits through the pattern sheets, said commutator operating on a cycle in which the circuits through the individual sheets are closed successively and then all circuits through the sheets are open, said translating device selecting and rendering all the control members effective during each stage in the cycle of operations in said commutator during which all -the circuits through the pattern sheets are open, and means for operating said commutatr.

25. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine having a plurality of elements to associated therewith to control y the operation thereof, means for selecting control members and thereby selectively determining the action of said elements, said means including anelectromagnet, an armature therefor, said armature being 'operable by the 'electromagnet to strike and positively move selected members and resilient means opcircuit through the transbe controlled, control 'members posing the movement of the armature produced by energzation of the electromagnet, a source of power connected to the electromagnet, a pattern, means including means for scanning said pattern for controlling the supply of energy from the source to the electromagnet in conformity with said pattern, and means for producing a relative movement of the control members and selecting means in which the control members are successively in position to be acted on by said armature.

26. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine having a plurality ,Y

of elements to be controlled, a group of control members associated respectively therewith for controlling the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating' device for progressively selecting control "members from the group and rendering the selected members effective, means scanning the pattern for controlling the operation of the translating device, means for giving the pattern and scanning means a relative movev-ment during which the pattern is scanned from side to side iirst in one direction and then in the opposite on successive traverses, and means op-4 erating prior to the normal return traverse of the scanning means to cause a limited relative movement of the pattern and scanning means to advance the scanning point in the direction of the relative movement to occur on. the next traverse.

27. In a control mechanism for controlling'the operation of a textile machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, a group of control members associated respectively therewith. for controlling the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating device for progressively sea limited extent on the pattern lecting control members from the group and rendering the selected members effective, means scanning the pattern for controlling the operation of the translating device, means for moving the scanning means to cause it to scan the pattern from. side to side rst in one direction and then in the opposite on successive traverses. and means operating prior to the normal return traverse of the scanning means to move the scanning means 'and advance thescanning point to in which the scanning means is next traverse.

28. In a textile machine havinga plurality of elements to be controlled, a series of control members associated respectivelyv therewith forA con'- to travel on the trolling the operation thereof, means for selecting said control members and thereby determining the operation of said elements, said means including an electromagnet, an armature therefor tov in the direction operable onenergization of said magnet to cause control members to be pos'tively moved,l resilient means resisting the movement of the armature when the electromagnet is energized and restoring it to initial position when the electromagnet is deenergized, pattern means for controlling the energization of the electromagnet, and means for producing a relative movement of the control members and armature in which the control members are successively in position to be acted on by said armature. v

29. The combination in a textile machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, of a group of control members associated respectively therewith for controlling .the operation thereof, an electromechanical translating device operable to`selectcontrol members and render the selected members effective, said device, Awhen operating freely. rendering effective all the control -members-"in ythe group, means for giving the group of control vmembers and device a succession of relative'movements in each of which said device is brought-into operating relation to all control members in the `group successively, a pattern,

means scanning the pattern for modifying the action Vof the device in conformity therewith, and

means operatedon'synchronism with the scanning means for rendering the scanning means al- Aternately eifective Vand ineffective during successive relativev movements of the device and the group of control members.

30. 'I'he combination in a textile machine having a plurality of elements to becontrolled, of

a group voi control membersassociated respectively vtherewith vfor controlling the operation thereof, an electromechanical translatingY device operable to select control members and render the selected vmembers effective, said device, when operating freely, rendering eiiective all the control members in the group, means for giving the group of control members and device a succession of relative movements in each of which said de- 'idce is brought into operating relation to all con- 'trol members in the group successively, a pair of patterns, means for modifying the action of said device under the control of a pattern including individual means for scanning the patterns, and means for bringing the individual scanning 10 means into operation and operating on a threestage cycle in the first two stages of which said scanning means are successively eiective fortwo successive relative movements of the device and group of control members and in the third stage 5 of which both scanning devices are ineiective for a third such relative movement.

31. In a textile machine having a plurality oi' elements to be controlled, a series of control members associated respectively with said ele- 40 ments for controlling the operation thereof, and means for selecting control members in the series and thereby determining the operation of their associated elements, said means including an electromagnet, a pivotally mounted armature for 5 the electromagnet operable on energization of said electromagnet to engage and move control r members, means for restoring the armature to initial position when the electromagnet is'deenergized, pattern means for controlling the en- 50 erglzation of the electromagnet, and means for producing a relative movementof the control members arid electromagnet in which the members are successively in position to be acted on by said armature. 55 32. In a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textilel machine, the combination v of a plurality of members arranged in a series, a support for the members, each member being movable to different positions relative to the support, pattern means for positively effecting movements of the members relative to the support, said means including an electromechanical translating device controlled by the pattern, and anV element actuated by the device and operating -65,150.- strike -and shift members in the series, and

means for effecting relative movement of said element and members during which the members are successively brought into position to be acted 'on by the element. v

v3,3. In a textile machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, the combination of. a

series of control members associated with respective elements for controlling the operation thereof, and means for selecting said control members 75 and thereby determining the operation of said element, said means including an electromagnet, an armature to be-operable on energization o1' said electromagnet to strikev and move control members, means for restoring the amature to initial position when the electromagnet is deenergized, means for controlling the energization of the electromagnet including a pattern and means for scanning the pattern, and means for .Y giving the selecting means and control members arelative movement in which the means and members come successively into cooperating relation.

34. In a knitting kmachine having a plurality of needles, the operation of which is to be controlled, the combination of a series of control members associated with respective needles, an electromagnet, an armature for the electromagnet operable on energization of the electromagnet to strike and move control members, means for restoringl the armature to initial position when the electromagnet is deenergized, a pattern, means responsive to variations in the pattern for controlling the operation of the electromagnet, and means for giving the electromagnet and armature and the control members a relative movement during which the armature and members come successively into cooperating relation.

35. In a knitting machine having a plurality of needles knitting stitches of yarns fed from a plurality of supplies, the combination of a plurality of control members for respective needles, and arranged in a series, a support for the members, said members being movable to different positions relative to said support, a pattern for each yarn feed except one, means for scanning the patterns, electromechanical translating means controlled by the scanning means and operable to engage and move said members relative to the support, means for causing relative movement of said members and translating means to bring the members successively into operative relation with said means, and means for shifting members which have been moved relative to said support under the control 'of one pattern to a position wherein said members are out of the range o1' action of the translating means in response to every other pattern.

36. In a knitting machine having a plurality of needles knitting stitches of yarns fed from a plurality of supplies, the combination of a plurality of control members for respective needles and arranged in a series, a vsupport for the members, said members being movable to different positions relative said support, a pattern for each yarn feed except one, means for scanning the patterns, electromechanical translating means controlled by the scanning means and operable to engage and move said members relative to the support, means for causing relative movement of said members and translating vmeans to bring the members successively into operative relation with said means, and cam means for shifting members which have been moved relative to the support under the control of one pattern to a position wherein said members cannot be acted on by the translating means in response to any other pattern.

37. In a knitting machine having a plurality of needles, the operation of which is to be controlled, the combination of a series of control members associated with respective needles, an electromagnet, a pivotally mounted member operable upon energization of the electromagnet to strike and positively shift selected control members, a pattern, means responsive to variations in the pattern'for controlling the operation of the electro magnet, and means for giving the electromagnet and pivoted member andthe control members a relative movement in which the pivoted member and control members come successively into cooperating relation.

`38. In a textile machine having a plurality of elements to be controlled, Ithe combination of control members for the respective elements, a pattern-controlled electromechanical translating device including an electromagnetically operated hammer lever acting to strike and positively shift selected members, and means for causing a relative movement of the members and device ln which the members come successively into operative relation with the device.

39. In a controlmechanism forl controlling the operation of a textile machine having a plurality o f elements to be controlled, the combination of a plurality of control members, a support therefor,y each member being movable to a plurality of positions in one of which the member is effective, a pattern, means for 4scanning the pattern, electromechanicai means for effecting movements of the members relative to the support including an electromagnetically actuated hammer operable to strike and shift selected members, means for actuating the electromechanical means under the control of the scanning means, and means forv producing a relative movement of the membersv and hammer to bring the vmembers successively into cooperating relation to the hammer. g

40. n a control mechanism for controlling the operation of a textile machine, the combination of a plurality of control members arranged in a series, a support therefor, each member being movable to different positions relative to the support in one of which positions the member is effective, a pattern, means for scanning the pattern, an electromagnetically operated hammer operable under control of the scanning means to strike and shift selected members relative to the support, mechanical means for completing the movement of selected members struck b'y the hammer, and means for producing a relative movement of the hammer, mechanical means, and control members in which the latter are successively in position to be acted on by the hammer and mechanical means.

` YVES RUINNE'I'. 

